yesterday i contacted the Central Asia Institute, the organization run by Greg Mortensen, to see what they are doing for disaster relief. they told me that they are supporting some local disaster relief groups. below is some of my correspondence with them, and i think its a great way to focus attention.

At this time, our schools have not been destroyed by the devastating floods in Pakistan. Central Asia Institute has provided flood relief to displaced teachers, students, and families in the areas we serve. The critical need for assistance includes water and sanitation, food supplies, vaccinations for disease, and temporary shelter. Our organization’s mission is focused on education, and therefore, we have allowed organizations who are experts in relief efforts to take the lead on this situation (i.e. Government of Pakistan, UN Agencies, and NGOs specializing in disaster relief). Once these initial needs are met, Central Asia Institute will play a significant role to rebuild schools and provide education opportunities to the communities affected.

Saw the PBS special. Sure doesn't look good. I guess I ended up naive on this one... after all, Obama donated part of his Nobel Peace Prize money, and when was Obama ever wrong? Wait, what I meant is... But seriously, when I heard the US Military was requiring TCOT as reading, I thought CAI had been well-vetted, because when was the military ever wrong? Wait, what I want to say is... oh skip it.

There is always one easy answer, the wrong one. Mortenson is not a saint, and is not a Madoff. It turns out, apparently, that he is too good to be true. That doesn't mean there's no good and no truth there. Read Greek tragedy?

aglane wrote:There is always one easy answer, the wrong one. Mortenson is not a saint, and is not a Madoff. It turns out, apparently, that he is too good to be true. That doesn't mean there's no good and no truth there. Read Greek tragedy?

Wait, are you saying he married his mother and killed his father (Oedipus)... or killed his mother after she killed his father (Orestes)... or dismembered his brother and killed his children (Medea)? No, nothing quite like that, but maybe those extreme acts were meant to be allegories for tribulations in the real world. More like the Mayor of Casterbidge.